Somali Government Blocks Planes With Regional Guards Over Security Concerns

Somalia bars planes carrying Jubaland, Puntland State security from Mogadishu ahead of talks

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government on Sunday defended its decision to block two planes carrying security personnel for the presidents of Jubaland and Puntland State from landing in Mogadishu, citing strict protocols in place for the capital ahead of a planned national consultative meeting.

The Ministry of Interior said the aircraft were transporting armed personnel and weapons in violation of security rules governing Aden Adde International Airport and Mogadishu more broadly. Officials framed the move as part of the government’s constitutional duty to protect public safety and safeguard recent security gains.

According to the government, members of the Somali Future Council — a political grouping that includes leaders from Jubaland and Puntland State — attempted on Sunday morning to bring armed forces and weapons into the city by air ahead of a national dialogue conference scheduled for Feb. 1, 2026. Authorities said the purpose of the personnel and weapons was unclear.

The government described the attempt as a clear breach of agreed security arrangements and said relevant agencies, along with the conference organizing committee, had formally notified representatives of the Future Council that the entry of armed personnel without authorization would not be permitted.

Federal officials said a limited security detail had already been approved for visiting leaders, allowing up to 30 uniformed guards and 10 plainclothes personnel for each regional president. They accused both Jubaland and Puntland State of seeking to deploy more than 100 security personnel apiece, raising alarm among federal authorities over the size and intent of the forces.

• Flights carrying armed escorts for Jubaland and Puntland State leaders were barred from landing in Mogadishu, the government said.
• Approved protocol allowed each leader 30 uniformed guards and 10 plainclothes officers; authorities allege the regions attempted to exceed those limits by more than 100 personnel each.
• The Interior Ministry cited binding security resolutions for the capital and invoked the federal government’s constitutional mandate to protect public safety.
• Officials said the invitation to the Somali Future Council to attend Mogadishu talks remains in effect, contingent on adherence to security procedures.
• The standoff underscores deep mistrust between Somalia’s federal leadership and key regional administrations as they seek to negotiate on elections and governance.

Despite the confrontation, federal officials said the invitation to the Somali Future Council stands and reaffirmed a commitment to host the talks in Mogadishu. The government urged all participants to respect agreed procedures to ensure the dialogue proceeds in what it called a “peaceful, stable and conducive environment.”

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud extended the invitation to the Future Council late last month as part of an effort to ease political tensions, strengthen national unity and address a long-running dispute over the country’s electoral process. The meeting was aimed at creating space for consensus-building among federal and regional leaders.

The government warned it would not tolerate actions that undermine security or the use, or threat, of force to pursue political objectives. Any uncoordinated movement of armed groups into the capital, the statement said, would be treated as a direct challenge to national sovereignty.

The dispute follows sharp accusations from Jubaland and Puntland State, which earlier said their delegations were deliberately turned back from Mogadishu. The competing accounts highlight the fragile trust between the center and the regions, casting uncertainty over whether the planned consultations can produce meaningful progress on elections and governance without a clear, jointly enforced security framework.

By Ali Musa

Axadle Times international–Monitoring.